Freelance Services

Health

Vaccinations

Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for all stays in French Guiana (10 years validity - The first injection should be done 15 days before departure as it only becomes effective after the 10th day).

The vaccination is only administered in special centers; you should consult a medical center in your country of residence before leaving home.

Moreover it is essential to check you are up to date with your Tetanus and Poliomyelitis vaccinations.

Malaria

The increase in malaria is a worldwide phenomenon from which French Guiana has not escaped. Two strains of the parasite responsible for malaria are to be found in Guiana;

Plasmodium vivax (relatively benign) and Plasmodium falciparum which can cause very severe cases of malaria and sometimes fatal.

Transmission to humans occurs during the evening and night and is caused by anophele mosquitoes (Anophelus mosquito) which generally go unnoticed.

In Kourou and even along the coast, there is very little risk of malaria (Plasmodium vivax predominates) and the taking of preventive medecine is not justified. The essential is to prevent yourself from mosquito bites by wearing appropriate clothes and bug repellent from the fall of night and onwards.

Contact your doctor before coming

Elementary Precautions

As for all stays in any tropical country, certain elementary precautions must be taken:

Wearing of clothes which limits the risk of insect bites is strongly recommandated espacially during the evening (long sleeves and trousers).
The use of liquid and cream insect repellents which reduces the risk of insect bites (particullary AUTAN and OFF availlable from chinese grocers.
For outdoor nights we recommend that you sleep under a mosquito net and use a special product (K'OTHRINE).
Avoid remaining close to lights during period of the year subject to papillonite (skin irritation caused by certain moths).
Wearing closed shoes is recommended for expeditions in the forest or in the savanna.
Bathing in stagnant water (ponds or backwaters) should be avoided.
As for eating habits there are a few precautions to take:
Sealed bottle are recommended.
Food containing fish, meat, shellfish or game should always be cooked and served hot.
Row vegetables should be carefully washed and fruits should be pealed.
Only pasteurized or sterilized milk products should be consummated.

We remind you that numerous case of aids have been reported in French Guiana. It's is hyghly recommended that you take all appropriate precautions (condoms - contraceptive sheath).

Medical facilities

The Kourou hospital (CMCK) is administrated by the Red Cross and is accredited by the International Society for Quality and Healthcare (ISQUA).

Telephone: 05-94-32-76-76
Fax: 05-94-32-76-00
Avenue des Iles, 97310 Kourou

Kourou city is well equiped with all the medical facilities you might need:

An Hospital (CMCK), fully equiped.
10 General practitioners
7 Dentists
6 Pharmacies

The country counts numerous specialists, emergency services and fire brigades.

H1N1

Dear friends,

H1N1 Flu, referred as "swine flu" is a new influenza contagious virus. It is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that the regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

The symptoms are:

Fever, body aches, cough, fatigue, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.

Prevention:

The most important prevention measure is to wash your hands several times a day, and in particular: right after blowing your nose or sneezing, before eating and after using the toilet.
In the event of a cold or runny nose, it is preferable to use disposable and single-use handkerchiefs/Kleenex (to throw away after each use) rather than cloth handkerchiefs.
In social contacts, keep a safe distance of a meter between your colleagues/friends.
Avoid the embraces.

What to do in case you feel sick?

During your stay in French Guiana, from your arrival until your departure, if you feel sick with one or more of these symptoms, please warn FREE LANCE SERVICE as soon as possible.

Don't go by yourself to the Doctor or the Hospital. FLS people will take you to the right people and the right place.

Contact FLS OFFICE
You can reach us 24/24 7 days a week.

For this specific H1N1 flu, our Team is permanently and directly linked to the French Guiana Health and Control Disease Department. You will be immediately oriented and accompanied to the key people in charge of this infection problem by one of our team member.

Thanks for your attention and enjoy your stay in French Guiana.